In line with the recent ‘Ibsher’ initiative by the government, issued by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, the Al Habtoor Group today announced a new stage in its policy of Emiratisation, in the form of several programmes to be put into effect in the coming months.

The Ibsher programme is a countrywide plan that aims to recruit over 20,000 unemployed young Emiratis over the next five years.

And while the Al Habtoor Group has long had a policy of employing Emiratis, it has embraced this new policy whole-heartedly with a series of new programmes. Not only is the Group aiming to hire a large percentage of Emiratis in the future, it hopes to establish local people in key positions including its hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors.

In recent months it started this process by employing a number of UAE nationals in their head office. These include Nasser Al Ali – director of human resources and Emiratisation and Abdul Salam Mahmoud Al Marzooqi – director of community relations

Meanwhile in the Al Farooq Omar Ibn Al Khattab Mosque and Centre, also owned and run by the Al Habtoor Group, Thani Abdulla Saqer Al Muhairi has been employed as an administration executive, while Khalid Ahmed Hareb Al Muhairi is the new events and marketing manager.

Already the Al Habtoor Group has put in place an internship programme which will see young Emirati graduates – from a variety of backgrounds join the company. It will also continue to co-ordinate with a UAE universities and participate in local career fairs to facilitate the recruitment process.

Nasser Al Ali the Director of Human Resources and Emiratisation is overseeing the Ibsher programme with the help of an Emiratisation committee.

“I’m very much looking forward to putting this extensive plan into action over the next few months,” said Al Ali.” The Al Habtoor Group are pulling out all the stops to tie in with the government Ibsher initiative and it’s exciting to be part of that process. It’s clear they realise the importance of maintaining our great Emirati culture and doing all we can to help our young people in their careers.

“Ibsher addresses the need to minimise the number of unemployed local people, many of whom are highly educated and capable of excelling in a variety of positions. In addition, the Chairman Khalaf Al Habtoor views it as a way of giving back to the UAE community.

Khalaf Al Habtoor commented on the initiative: “I realise the importance of Ibsher to the UAE community and it gives me great pleasure to be in a position to help my fellow countrymen. I’ve always held the belief that young people should be nurtured – they are our future, and so many of them are highly educated and capable of having brilliant careers.

“What’s more the Ibsher programme helps towards conserving our strong Emirati culture and traditions and it gives the right message to the world. It proves to other nations that we are strong; we are united; and we will lead our country on to great things.

“Already we’ve fought back bravely and made a full recovery in the face of the world-wide recession. This is the next step in our country’s progress. It’s one that should be embraced wholeheartedly and which will have long lasting effects. The Al Habtoor Group is very proud to be part of the Ibsher programme.”

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Background information

The Al Habtoor Group has grown with the UAE, and while best known for construction, it is globally recognized through its involvement in the hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors.More...

The Al Habtoor Group has grown with the UAE, and while best known for construction, it is globally recognized through its involvement in the hotel, automotive, real estate, education, insurance and publishing sectors.

One of the UAE's most respected and successful businesses, the Al Habtoor Group operates in the UAE and international markets.